Choosing Between TPE, TPV, and TPU for Injection Molded Seals and Flex

[Tristan Zhou]

TL;DR

How would you choose between TPE, TPV, and TPU for an injection molded flexible seal/cover exposed to light wear, heat, oil contact, and outdoor aging?

I’m reviewing materials for an injection molded flexible seal/cover that may see light wear, some heat, oil contact, and outdoor aging. It is not a structural part, but it still needs reasonable sealing performance and durability.

I know the basic differences between TPE, TPV, and TPU, but this application seems to sit in the overlap between them. TPU has advantages in toughness and abrasion resistance, while TPV looks stronger for compression set, heat aging, and oil/weather exposure. A general TPE may also be acceptable if the requirements are not too severe.

For this kind of molded seal/flexible cover, which property would you usually let drive the final material choice?